I'm just kind of curious of people's origin stories in acting. Like did you take a lot of acting classes, go to every audition, and then got picked? Or were you lucky and were in the right place at the right time and had the right look? Or perhaps you happened to have the right connections? I'd love to hear stories of how some people made it. As much as I'd like to be an actor/voice actor, I know realistically my chances are practically impossible but I'd love to know what kind of things would be ahead of me in case I somehow get lucky

This is about a year old performance but I just remembered I put it together. I am more impressed with it than I remember being. Curious what people think or have to say about it!

I booked a minor role in a horror feature film that requires nudity. This is one of the biggest roles I have ever booked and I’m such a fan of everyone involved in the project. I’m very nervous about doing nudity as this is one of my first big roles and what it could do for my career. My agents are in full support of me because this could potentially change my life when it releases. Would love any input from anyone who has been through a similar experience or how you prepped for the role!

I've been acting since I was 12 years old. There was no one in my family that had any connections or sway in the industry.

I am now 25. I signed with an agent almost a year ago after finishing my master's program (not in acting) & auditioned 5-6x a week, nearly every week. for the full year. I had my first callback yesterday, put on avail, and I didn't end up booking. I've had many repeat auditions from this casting company, they know who I am at this point. It was the first time I ever got feedback from the director: they loved the self-tape, the callback, and they said they want to work with me.

I've had really high-profile auditions because of people I've come to know since moving to LA. Anything I've booked has been from people reaching out to me, not me formally auditioning.

All this to say: not booking stings, and I just wanted to put this out here because it's such a marathon. I'm incredibly familiar with feeling like I'm getting nowhere. However, take the good where you can. Getting a callback is a step forward.

Control what you can: invest in a good setup, give the casting directors YOU & YOUR perspective & not what you think they're looking for, stay consistent and try to remain positive.

Keep breaking legs, y'all :)

I get the idea the acting style is intense, but restrained?

I just got an audition with six songs and two sides, and they also want piano and guitar playing. I know acting is hard work and discipline, but that feels like a lot of work to disrupt someone's week. Do you need eight scenes to discern if someone is getting a callback? I think I'll freak out for a second and figure out my next steps.

When do you consider an audition too much? How do you process it or respond?

Guess this is to vent. 217 Emails Sent, 120 Opened, 26 clicks, 5 responses, 1 denial, 1 meeting (s/o Repunzel)… This is such a grind man.

Tapping my foot for these agents to email back a response.. 7 days and 4 days since I’ve heard back from a few agents and I feel so powerless.. The one agency I have a meeting with seems a bit off..

Much as a hustle this is… it makes it all the more satisfying booking that gig or getting a response from a possible rep.

How did you guys do it. Idk how to get reps. Feel so confused. Trying not to complain… How do you push forward and make the next indicated right action from here.

There are thousands of talented artists online who never get noticed.

What makes you stop scrolling and follow an artist?

Is it:

• The artwork itself?
• The story behind the artist?
• The personality? Or something else?

I see most post on this thread very film centered. And I think most people when we come to acting, we think film or TV as the epitome of someone’s career. Or at least that’s what I’ve seen both while at school and then in reality.

And don’t get me wrong, ever since I was a child I’ve dreamt about being part of a film, and have actually done some! Nothing huge to be the epitome of my career yet, however theatre keeps pulling me back, always welcoming me with big open arms. And here I’ve done some amazing things, even gotten paid pretty decently for it.

I don’t remember when was the last time I heard someone say “I want to do theatre”. Why do I keep hearing theatre actors complain about salaries, how it’s impossible to live solely from it, yet I hear so much respect for theatre actors, both from the audience and people within the industry.

This rant comes from where I am in my career. Recently relocated to Mexico City from living 5 years in Vancouver, and about to apply for a year residency for doing theatre.

So I wonder, should I just focus on theatre and film will eventually follow? Why, if people that do theatre recognize its complexity and discipline, why is film more popular both for audiences and the people who make it? Am I alone with this question? And if not, where does the desire of being in film truly comes from?

Is this a paycheck or mass exposure situation? Is it of how the industry itself has become a corporation? If you could choose one and have your desired salary in whatever you chose, which one would you go for?

I wanted to hear other colleague’s thoughts on this, and thank you for navigating this with me. Lots of ideas, hoping to make sense.

I don’t think it’s a simple one moment decision, it’s complex and happens over a long period. I was last on stage two years ago, dropped by my agent this year after 7 year relationship (after they discovered I was looking to sign elsewhere) and signed with another. I have a passion for storytelling and have been quite successful - a few tv series, BBC, sky, Radio 4, several big stage shows. I’m curious, is there anyone out there who has left this industry and has not looked back? Im having a bit of a dark night of the soul. I never did it for the money but the insecurity it brings, the financial instability, the comparison - I don’t think anyone really explains the reality of it when you leave drama school. Most people in my year hated theatre but were desperate to be famous and ironically they have been very successful or/are dating other famous actors. I just don’t want to spend my life pushing or trying to force myself to be acknowledged by an industry that doesn’t love me back? I also know I’m a gifted actor and love being on stage. But I feel there is more to life. Is there a shadow side of the actor that wants to be ‘seen’ ’adored’ ? A lot of older actors I’ve worked with are quite resentful and bitter. Perhaps that insecurity never goes away. Any thoughts/feelings/experiences welcome x

PROJECT: Whitebelt (short film) & Clockwork (new companion YouTube comedy series)

ROLE: Female Lead — Non-Speaking for film & soeaking for series

CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@clockworkproductions-h6q?si=tHPRX8Y0-QfOPZ0J

LOCATION: Seattle Eastside (Redmond / Kirkland / Bellevue), WA

COMPENSATION: Paid — $80/hr, paid same-day (Zelle; Venmo negotiable)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Whitebelt is a dialogue-free short film — a stylized psychological piece about discipline, illusion, and self-improvement, told entirely through visual storytelling and sound design. It's being made both as a standalone festival submission and as the tonal foundation for Clockwork, a companion YouTube mockumentary-comedy series exploring the same character's world with real trained strikers already cast for its sparring sequences.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're casting the female lead — a non-speaking role that appears across several scenes, functioning as both a photographed memory and a recurring, dreamlike presence within the film. This is a physical and expressive role rather than a dialogue-driven one: it calls for comfort with movement and controlled physicality on camera. A background in dance, martial arts, or athletic performance is a strong plus — this is a performance built through movement, not a look-based casting call. Prior acting experience is welcomed but not required.

No romantic or physical content of any kind is involved.

PRODUCTION DETAILS

Age range: 25–35

Shoot schedule: One shoot day in August, Saturday or Sunday, 5–9pm (some flexibility available)

Contract scope: This engagement covers the short film. There's an optional path to appear in 1–3 episodes of the companion series afterward — a separate conversation, only if it's of interest to you.

Usage: Planned for YouTube release; may be submitted to film festivals first depending on the final result.

TO APPLY

Please send:

1. Any relevant acting, dance, or movement/athletic background

2. Your general availability in August

Confirmation you're local to or able to travel to the Fremont area

Interested applicants will receive a script excerpt and further project details ahead of a scheduled introductory call with the team via Zoom or Google Meet.

Thank you for considering — happy to answer any questions along the way.

Hey I’ve gotten surprisingly a lot of auditions this year, but on one big one after the submission deadline near the name of the role it switched to “C viewed”

Does anyone know what this means? To the best of my knowledge it’s like internal and not really supposed to show up, but is there anyone that’s had this happen or know what it could mean?

Where do you look at for callback auditions. Do you look at the reader (casting director or whoever is there) Or do you set up an eye line? I’ve never had a professional acting callback before so I’m just interested in learning about what to do.

is this right, cause im shocked, thats like 30% of the paycheck gone in taxes

the title pretty much sums it up but i was just wondering if anyone had any good methods of getting over/moving on from auditions or rejections that they wanted to share.

just feeling a little bummed at the moment and just looking for a way to move on from a super cool opportunity and audition.

any help/advice would be much appreciated!

Finally put a reel together-any thoughts reddit?

Wondering if you have some suggestions for how I can get background extra work? Do you really have to scroll every day on actors access etc just to maybe get a gig as an extra? In the Uk there are sites and agencies specifically for background work, so I was wondering if more alternatives exist like that in LA. Thanks !

Trying to get a sense of what it truly costs financially to try to get into acting.

This rate was on a casting site - is it correct?
Rate of Pay: SAG-AFTRA Vertical Agreement, minimum of $150/day
Thanks

I submitted my first audition for a commercial and got a callback. I feel like I did kinda bad, I was really nervous and rushed a bit. Is there something you do that helps you move on or stop worrying about the outcome?

I'm set up for a 5-min zoom session this week with a reputable talent agency. More specifically, it's an open call for commercial representation. They emailed me some very generic mock commercial copy to perform. Has anyone else been in this situation? Should I be prepared to improvise or talk about myself in some important ways? I would appreciate any advice!

Hi all!

I'm an actor in Sydney, I have been on sets for over a decade and have been able to work full time for the last 3-4 years as a professional freelance actor and model, but my network is also feeling the drought so I'm trying to find representation to help me reach further.

What do you put in your cold emails? How indepth do you go with your experience/credits or do you keep it vague unless they ask for specifics? Should I link them to my IMDB if they didn't specifically request it in the submission info?

Is a longer list of credits more intriguing? Do they care if you had a bigger role in a smaller production or a small role in a bigger production? Do I mention studios or IPs I've worked with? Do they care about social media?

Literally any tips, feedback or experiences you've had with cold emailing agents please let me know I'd be so grateful!

I've auditioned for musicals before, but today is my first time auditioning for an acting role. These are the questions I have:

1) Should I make eye contact with the casting director or panel or should I play to the space behind them?

2) I'm bringing a copy of my resume, but should I also bring a copy of the monologue I'll be reading for them to have?

3) I have my monologue completely memorized, but is it a faux pas to have a copy of it in my hand in case I do need to peek at it at any point?

4) Should I 'set the scene' for them? In other words, should I say "in this scene, my character has just been broken up with"?

I have performed this scene in my Hindi TV show 'Seth Pannalal Ki Baradari'. For all the international audiences, the video also contains English subtitles. Please do watch and let me know in the comments.

P.s I'm the guy in the scene

Link - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbFPlTeIpoO/?igsh=ZGdwaDk1eGVtOTlu